After lunch it was back on the Trace for our 90-mile drive to our destination in Tupelo, Mississippi. Famous as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo is also the home of the new Tupelo Auto Museum. Good friend and hot rod icon George Poteet brought his traveling BBQ and ice cream road show to the Auto Museum to feed Road Tourians and many of the local rodders. Museum curator Allen McDaniel was kind enough to open the museum for us to get a look at their collection, which includes a wide assortment of vehicles ranging from the cars of the earliest days of auto transportation to modern special interest vehicles. Even Ed Roth's Wishbone was on display. (Many thanks to George Poteet and the folks at the Tupelo Auto Museum for providing us with a great evening of food and entertainment).
It was rise and shine Wednesday morning in Tupelo. Rick went over the scheduled activities at the regular morning driver's meeting. On tap for the day was a short drive to Elvis Presley's birthplace and museum, then back on the Natchez Trace for the trip to Franklin, Tennessee, for the evening.
Elvis's birthplace and museum was very interesting and included the actual small home where Elvis was born and lived until his family moved to Memphis when he was 3 years old. The museum was filled with artifacts and told the story of Elvis's early days in Tupelo. The birthplace and museum is run by the city. In 1956 after Elvis became a star, he returned to Tupelo for a concert. He was paid $10,000 for the evening concert. After the concert, he went to the city fathers and handed them his earnings with a caveat. He asked them to clean up the area where his original home was located and build a park. They did and, as the story goes, the park is enjoyed by all who have visited ever since.
For lunch we stopped at the Meriwether Lewis Site where the famous explorer is buried. Sandwiches were provided by George Poteet and it was a chance to pose for a group photo. After lunch it was back on The Natchez Trace and we arrived in Franklin, Tennessee, about 5 p.m. With nothing in particular planned for the evening, it was a chance for folks to catch up on laundry and some needed car repairs. Thunderstorms in the area provided a great lightshow but we were spared the threatening tornados.
Thursday morning started with a great breakfast at the famous Loveless Caf near Nashville. Since 1951 the Loveless Caf has been a favorite of Nashville musicians and celebrities from around the world. We were served family style and everyone got their fill of fantastic biscuits, gravy, eggs, and bacon. The Loveless Caf is definitely worth a stop when you are in the area. We then headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. It is a great facility and the staff does a wonderful job of telling the story and history of country music. A special exhibit was on display that covered the lives and careers of Hank Williams Sr. and Hank Williams Jr.
For lunch we stopped at Hunter's Custom in Nashville. Owners Johnny and Linda Freund greeted us with goodie bags and pulled pork sandwiches. Hunters has been in business for many years and carries a complete line of street rod and truck accessories and is known for their extensive line of custom wheels. Their retail showroom is filled with a huge selection of parts and accessories.
We had lunch on Tuesday at...
We had lunch on Tuesday at the Council House Caf in French Camp, MS. French Camp is located on the famous Natchez Trace, a highway that cuts across Mississippi.
With the temperature hovering...
With the temperature hovering around the 100 degree mark on Monday it was only fitting that we visit the Tabasco facilities on Avery Island, LA. This is the original factory where the hot sauce has been produced for over 100 years.
We traveled on the Natchez...
We traveled on the Natchez Trace for most of Tuesday and Wednesday. It is beautiful two-lane highway that is tree lined. It was a nice change of pace from the interstates that make up much of our travels during the summer.
Tuesday evening the Vintage...
Tuesday evening the Vintage Air Road Tour group got together with some of the local rodders and enjoyed a visit to the Tupelo Auto Museum. George Poteet brought his BBQ along and provided some great food for everyone.
Wednesday we visited the birthplace...
Wednesday we visited the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Elvis lived in Tupelo until the age of three when his family moved to Memphis. This is the actual home where Elvis was born and the surrounding park and museum was very interesting.
Wednesday at noon we stopped...
Wednesday at noon we stopped at the Meriweather Lewis Monument and Park on the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. It was a chance for all the participants on the Vintage Air Tour to get together for a group photo. George Poteet provided lunch with sandwiches and sodas for us when we arrived.